Container cleaning apparatus and method



Oct. 30, 1962 W. B. CLAYTON CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1959 INVENTOR,

WILLIAM B. CLAYTON A TTORN E YS Oct 30, 1962 w. B. CLAYTON CONTAINERCLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Aug. 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR,

WILLIAM B. CLAYTON EIE 3 5% WW I ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1962 w. B. CLAYTON3,060,943

- CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Aug. 17, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR." WILLIAM B. CLAYTON,

67 EW Maw A TTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1962 w. B. CLAYTON 3,060,943

CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Aug. 17, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR, T 7 WILLIAM B. CLAYTOI! BY I 5% vm A TTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,060943 CONTAINER CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHODWiliiarn 3. Clayton, Waco, Tex., assignor to Merrick Medicine Company,Waco, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Aug. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 834,10923 Claims. ((11. 134-3) This invention relates to apparatus for and amethod of cleaning containers, more particularly for removing lint, dustor other particulate substances from containers such as medicinebottles.

Bottles used for medicines and other substances intended foradministration to humans and animals ordinarily are supplied by bottlemanufacturers in sterile condition, packed in cardboard shipping cases,tops or caps off. In spite of the taking of reasonable precautions tokeep the bottles clean, it is known by experience that cardboard orpaper lint and other foreign matter finds its way into the packedcontainers during shipping, handling and storage of the packing cases.Even though such foreign particles should be and usually are sterile,their presence in the bottles or other containers at the time of fillingis obviously objectionable. Removing the foreign substances just priorto filling the containers has, in the past, been somewhat troublesome,time consuming and inefiicient.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method forremoving fine particles of foreign matter, e.g. packing case lint or thelike, from containers preparatory to filling. In accordance with theinvention, containers to be cleaned are positioned open ends down, andare struck hammer like blows or impacts. Preferably this is accomplishedby positioning the container, open end down, on a support; andoscillating the support vertically. During vertical movement of thesupport, the latter is momentarily or temporarily separated verticallyfrom the container, or the container is separated from the support,after which the support and the container re-engage each other, so thatthe container strikes or is struck by the support with a jarring orhammer like blow. Preferably the container is also subjected to jarringor hammer like blows in directions other than vertical, eg in horizontalor substantally horizontal directions at various angles. The jarring,hammer like blows have been found effectively to loosen or dislodge andremove particles adhering to the container inner surfaces. Preferably,the jarring of the containers is accompanied or followed by purging witha stream of purified fluid, e.g. air.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus forcleaning containers. Various forms of apparatus may be used forpracticing the method outlined above, but in the preferred form a bottleor container support provided with a plurality of bottle seats isoscillated, as by tipping back and forth about a horizontal axis, so asalternately to raise and lower the seats and preferably also to tip thecontainers back and forth. A nozzle is positioned adjacent to thesupport for directing a jet of purging fluid upwardly into thecontainers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the kindreferred to including mechanism for moving the container supportrelatively to the jet nozzle, generally transversely to the direction ofthe jet, so that the purging fluid will first enter the container at oneside and flow upwardly, then across the container, and downwardly andout of the other side; and thereafter will enter the container at itsother side and flow upwardly, then across, and downwardly and out at itsone side.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor purifying purging fluid, such as air, for use in cleaningcontainers.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the followingdescription, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the invention, someparts being broken away and others shown in horizontal section, andcertain piping or conduit connections being omitted for clearerdisclosure of the illustrative mechanism;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top view partly in plan and partly inhorizontal section illustrating a frame construction and mechanism foroscillating a container support;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating mechanism forrotating and oscillating the container support in elevation;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary elevation on an enlarged scale showing acontainer guiding and aligning means and means for adjustably mounting ajet nozzle;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the construction shown inFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of a container guiding andaligning construction including an adjustable mounting therefor;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed vertical section on the line 77 of FIGURE 3illustrating an oscillatory shaft mounting on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed elevational view on an enlarged scale of amovable mounting for belt tensioning pulleys, a frame part being shownin section; and

FIGURE 9 is a flow sheet diagrammatically depicting apparatus forpurifying container purging fluid.

In accordance with the invention considered in its general nature,containers are supported open ends down, are subjected to sharp orsomewhat hammer like blows, and are purged by a current such as a jet ofpurified fluid, for example, air. The jarring or hammer blow impactingof the containers and the flowing of purging fluid within the containerscooperate to dislodge and remove lint and other foreign or solidparticles. Broadly considered, the illustrative form of apparatusincludes a frame F on which a support S for containers C is mounted insuch relation to a jet nozzle N that the containers, after having beenjarred or subjected to hammer like blows, are moved into registrationwith the nozzle N so as to be purged of particles'dislodged or loosenedby the hammer like blows. Preferably, the purging fluid, such as air, issubjected to purifying treatment before being delivered to the nozzle N,and the jarring of the containers is continued after the fluid purgingoperation.

In the form shown for illustration, the frame F is constituted generallyby legs land longitudinal and transverse marginal members 2 and 3, allof which may be formed of angle-iron section. The frame includes otherparts to be referred to later for supporting elements of the operatingmechanism, and a top T.

The container support S is constituted by a spoked wheel 4 on which acircular table '5 is removably mounted by fasteners 5 as shown in FIGURE3. The table 5 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings 6 extending vertically through the table, container receivingseats 7 of rubber or similar material being inserted into the openings 6or fastened around the openings 6. The table '5 may be formed of plywoodor other suitable light material, and, being detachable from wheel 4,may be replaced by a table of different size or one with a differentarrangement in the dimensions, spacing and pattern design of openings 6according to the operation to be performed, such as a change in thesize, design and capacity of the container C to be cleaned. The entiresupport structure S, including the wheel 4 and table 5, is

r p 3 carried on a shaft 8 which is mounted on the frame with its axisextending vertically but so as to be oscillatable about a horizontalaxis transverse to the vertical shaft axis.

A suitable form of shaft mounting is best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 7which show two frame cross members 9 -serving to support two spacedpillow blocks 10 recessed at 11 to receive roller bearing assemblies 12in which are mounted stub pintles 13 extending horizontally from avertical axis shaft bearing 14. Caps 15 secured to the pillow blocks 10by screws 15 hold the anti-friction assembly bearings 12 in place.Another practicable method of shaft mounting would be to use, in placeof the stub pintles 13, a single pin which would pass horizontallythrough a hole bored through shaft 8 and held in place by a dowel or setscrews.

The shaft 8 is not rotatable in the bearing 14 but is oscillatable aboutthe axis of the stub pintles 13. A collar or flange 16 on the shaft 8rests upon the top of the bearing 14 for holding the shaft againstdownward movement. The support assembly S is mounted for rotation on theupper end of the shaft 8 through the medium of an anti-friction bearingassembly 17 interposed between the top of the collar or flange 16 andthe bottom of the hub 4 of the spoked wheel 4, a further anti-frictionbearing assembly 18, washer 19 and nut 20 being mounted on the shaft 8above the wheel hub 4 for preventing the support S from moving upward.The nut 20 may be of the self-locking type .or any supplemental lockingmeans such as a set screw may be employed for preventing unscrewing ofthe nut.

Mechanism for rotating the container supporting table 5 continuouslyincludes an electric motor 21 supported on a base plate 22 carried bylongitudinal frame members 23. The motor pulley 24 drives a belt 25 andin turn a pulley 26 on the input side of a variable speed transmissionmechanism 27 of any known or suitable type carried by a base 28supported on the frame members 23. The output pulley 29 of the variablespeed transmission 27 drives a belt 30 which is trained around a pulley3 1 on a shaft 32 rotatable in bearings 33 supported on the framemembers 23.

The shaft 32 is equipped with a further pulley 34 which drives a belt 35trained around the input shaft pulley -36 of a geared speed reducingunit 37 mounted on a base 38 carried by the frame members 23. The outputshafts of the speed reducer 37 is equipped with a three-step pulley 39for selective speed driving of a belt 40, the two stretches of which aretrained over a pair of belt tensioning and direction changing pulleys41, the bight of the belt 40 engaging a pulley 42 secured to the hub 4of the spoked wheel 4.

In operation, the drive from the prime mover or motor 21 is transmittedthrough the belt 25, the variable speed transmission 27, the belt 30,the shaft 32, the belt 35, the speed reducing unit 37 and the belt 40 tothe container'support S for rotating the latter relatively slowly so asto bring containers C positioned on the seats successively over the jetnozzle N. The speed of rotation may, for example, be about'onerevolution per minute and may be varied or adjusted to suit theparticular operation being performed by changing the setting of thevariable speed transmission 27 or shifting the belt 40 to a differentstep of the pulley 39, or by making both adjustments.

As previously stated, the shaft 8 is oscillatable about the axis of thestub pintles '13. Since the pulley 42 on the wheel hub 4 is spaced fromthe transverse pintle axis axially of the shaft 8, oscillation of theshaft causes the pulley 42 itself to oscillate substantiallyhorizontally. This tends alternately to slacken and tighten the belt 40extending between the pulley 42 and the stepped pulley 39. In order toavoid stretching or even breaking the belt 40 and so as to maintain thebelt under substantially constant tension despite oscillation of thepulley 42,"

the belt tensioning pulleys 41 are mounted to oscillate in phase withoscillation of the shaft 8 and pulley 42. With particular reference toFIGURES 1, 3 and 8, the tensioning pulleys 41 are mounted on asupporting device, generally designated43, which is carried on a trackprovided by a bar 44 adjustably bolted at 44 to the frame cross member9. The device 43 acts as a crosshead, and comprises two vertical platesor standards 45 on which the pulleys 41 are respectively journalled, anda base 46. The bottom face of the base 46 is formed with fourhemispherical recesses, each of which receives an antifriction ball 47,the four balls rollingly engaging the track plate 44. The crosshead base46 is constrained against lateral movement with respect to the track 44by four bolts 48 positioned at opposite corners of the base and equippedwith nuts 49 for mounting spacing and guiding sleeves 59 engageable withthe edges of the track 44. The crosshead mounting thus constitutedenables the pulley supporting device 43 in its entirety to oscillatealong the track 44 without being displaceable laterally from the track.

Mechanism for biassing the crosshead 43 and pulleys 41 to hold thelatter in belt tensioning contact with the belt 40 includes a spring 51interposed between a stud 52 fixed to the outer end of the track 44 andan eye-bolt 53 extending through an angle piece 54 carried :by the bolts48 at the end of the cross head base 46 closest to the shaft 8. Thespring 51 is tensioned adjustably by a nut 55. The force of the springtends to move the pulley mounting device 43 toward the right as viewedin FIGURES l, 3 and 8 so as to urge the pulleys 41 into tensioningcontact with the belt 40. However, the spring 51 may yield so as topermit the pulleys 41 to move toward the left and thus avoid unduestressing of the belt 40.

Mechanism for oscillating the shaft 8 and container support S is alsodriven by the motor 21 through the belt 25, variable speed transmission27, belt 30 and shaft 32. The shaft 32 is provided with a disc 56 towhich a crank disc 57 is adjust-ably secured by bolts 58. The crank disc57 carries a crank pin 59 connected to a pitman 60 to a wrist pinbearing 61 carried by a sleeve 62 secured to the lower end of the shaft8. Rotation of the shaft 32 and hence the crank pin 59 will oscillatethe lower end of the shaft -8 about the axis of the stub pintles 1'3 andconsequently oscillate the circle of seats 7 in the container supportingtable 5 vertically. It should be noted that the drive train between themotor 21 and the crank pin 59 does not include speed reducing driveprovided by the belt 35, the pulleys 34 and 36 and the speed reducer 37which is included in the drive to the support rotating pulley 42.Consequently, the frequency of oscillation of the shaft 8 is muchgreater than the speed of rotation of the container supponting table 5with the result that during a single revolution of the table, the seats7 on the table will be oscillated vertically through a multiplicity ofcycles. The frequency of oscillation of the table seats '7 maynevertheless be varied by selective setting of the variable speedtransmission 27, and the amplitude of oscillation may be varied byshifting the crank disc 57 to different degrees of eccentricity withrespect to the disc 56 on the shaft 32.

It is desirable to align the containers C accurately in the seats 7 andin the path of the purging fluid jet as the containers are moved overthe nozzle N. This may.

best be achieved by providing an adjustable container guiding andaligning device above the table and an adjustable mounting for thenozzle N below the table. In the form shown, the mountings for thecontainer guiding and aligning device and for the nozzle are bothcarried by a supporting column 63 shown in FIGURE 4 as being connectedto the frame F by a bracket 64. Upper and lower arms 65 and 66 areclamped to the column 63 by screws 65* and 66 The outer ends of the arms65 and 66 are provided with screws 65* and 66 for clamping a standard 67in vertical position. A guide supporting arm 68 is clamped to the upperend of the standard 67 by screws 53 and is formed at its outer end toreceive and clamp a cylindrical block 69 formed with a flange 69 whichoverlies the outer end of the arm 68 and insures against total downwarddisplacement of the block 69. The block 69 is threaded at 69 to receivea screw 79 extending through a washer 71 and a clamping disc 72positioned above apair of guide finger mounting locks 73, thearrangement being such that tightening of the screw 79 in the block 69will cause the disc 72 to hold the blocks 73 in adjusted positions.

Extending through bores in the blocks 73 are guide fingers 74 held inadjusted positions relative to the blocks by set screws 75 to extendtangentially to the circle of openings 6 and seats 7. The fingers 74 areresilient, being made, for example, of wire and are return bent at theirouter ends and flared outwardly away from each other at 74- so as todefine a gap or slot 74 adapted to receive containers C as they approacha position above the nozzle N. Any containers which may have been tippedradially with respect to the table 5, although still remaining on theseats 7, will be guided and aligned in substantially vertical positionby their contact with the fingers 74. The slot or gap 74 is desirablylocated just in advance of the nozzle N with respect to the direction ofrotation of the table 5. The fingers 74 may be adjusted to achieve thisrelative positioning of the slot by loosening the set screws 75 andsliding the fingers within the blocks 73. The fingers may be adjustedfurther by loosening the screw 79 and shifting the blocks 73- relativelyto the cylindrical mounting block 69. Substantial vertical adjustment ofthe fingers 74 for adapting the apparatus for cleaning containers ofdifferent sizes may be effected by loosening the clamping screws 65* and66 and moving the standard 67, the arm 68 and the block 69 upwardly ordownwardly with respect to the frame F, followed by re-tightening of theclamping screws.

The means for adjustably mounting the nozzle N includes an arm 76clamped by screws 76 to the column 63 between the previously mentionedarms 65 and 66. The outer end of the arm 76 clamps in vertical positiona cylindrical member 77, the upper end of which receives for horizontaladjustment a rod 78 on which is mounted a block 79 through which theshank or stem 80 of the nozzle N extends. This mounting of the nozzle Nprovides for several adjustments including a vertical adjustmenteffected by positioning the arm 76 at selected heights on the column 63,adjustment about the vertical axis of the cylindrical member 77,horizontal adjustments by swinging the arm 76 on the column 63 and byrotating the cylindrical member 77, a horizontal adjustment by slidingthe rod 78 with respect to the cylinder member 77, and rocking of theblock 79 about a horizontal axis for tipping the nozzle N. It thus ispossible very accurately to locate the nozzle N with respect to thetable openings 6 and the surrounding seats 7 and to adapt the purgingfluid apparatus for use in connection with tables of different sizes.

Although the guide fingers 74 align the containers C as they approachthe nozzle N, this alignment is principally if not entirely, effectiveonly to correct misalignment of the containers radially with respect tothe table. In order that the containers may be maintained insubstantially vertical position, circumferentially of the table,additional structure is provided for loosely engaging portions of thecontainers not engageable by the fingers 74. As shown in FIGURES l, 4and 5, four vertically extending studs 81 are mounted on a table at thefour corners of an imaginary rectangle within which each table opening 6and seat 7 are centered. The studs 81 extend upwardly into the oppositeends of flexible tubes 82 of polyethylene or like material, which arecrossed over one another to provide a resilient centering guide for thecontainers C. The tubes 82 are smooth and flexible and are so positionedwith respect to each other and the seats 7 as to maintain the containersC in substantially vertical and correctly aligned positions but not soas to grip the containers and prevent them from moving quite freelyvertically with respect to the table 5.

In operation, considered very briefly, when the table loaded withcontainers is rotated and simultaneously oscillated, the containers aremoved clockwise, as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 5, toward the nozzle N andduring this movement the oscillation of the table, and hence the raisingand lowering of the seats 7, causes the latter and the containersperiodically to separate vertically from each other with resultantperiodic re-engagernent of the containers and seats with hammer likeimpacts or blows. The relative movements of the containers and thesupport are not purely vertical, the containers being additionallysubjected to hammer like impacts more or less horizontally against thecontainer positioning tubes 82 which, though sufliciently resilient toavoid breaking the containers, have enough rigidity to jar thecontainers when impacting them sharply. The effect is to dislodge orloosen particles adhering to the insides of the container. The jet ofpurging fluid from the nozzle N and further jarring of the containersafter they have been moved past the nozzle, complete the removal offoreign particles.

Ordinarily, the containers are substantially sterile when placed ontothe table seats 7 and, of course, they should not be contaminated by thepurging fluid. Accordingly, equipment is provided for purifying the airor other purging fluid delivered to the jet nozzle N. Asdiagrammatically shown in FIGURE 9, purging air is delivered from adrier 83 through a conduit 84 to a sealed box or enclosure 85 so as toflow around an electrical germicidal lamp of any suitable kind. Airwhich has passed through the enclosure 85 and around the lamp 86 flowsthrough a conduit 87', filter 88 and conduit 89 to an air compressor 90which delivers through a conduit 91 to a tank or receiver 92. Thereceiver 92 delivers air through a conduit 93 to the interior of a tube94 of quartz glass or other suitable clear transparent glass or othermaterial mounted within the enclosure 85 and providing a defined passageadjacent to and in the zone of germicidal effect of the lamp 86 so thatthe air will be subjected again to purifying action. The purified airleaving the tube 94 passes through a conduit 95 and a second filter 96to the jet nozzle N. In this way the purging fluid is very eflicientlyconditioned for purging particles from the containers withoutrecontaminating the latter.

The air treatment enclosure 85, the filters 88 and 96, the aircompressor 90, the receiver 92, and parts of certain of the conduitsshown in FIGURE 9, are also shown in constructional views in FIGURES 1,2 and 3. However, in order not to obscure the showing of mechanism inthe constructional views, considerable portions of the various conduitshave been omitted from these views and shown only in FIGURE 9.

Operation Although phases of operation of the apparatus have beenexplained in connection with the foregoing description of theconstruction, a resume of a typical operation in practicing the methodof the invention may be of general assistance in understanding theinvention. A supply of containers may be supported upon a loading stand97 carried by a bracket 98 on the frame F about midway of the length ofthe frame and in advance of the jet nozzle N. While the operation isessentially the same, irrespective of the kinds of containers treated,some set-up or initial adjustments may advantageously be made fortreating containers of different kinds and sizes. The operating exampleto be described briefly is applicable to the removal of lint and otherparticles from necked glass bottles of three-ounce capacity, and

- generally elliptical cross section, width2 thicknessl% height to fillpoint-4% overaall height- 5 and finish of spout or neck threaded for a22 mm. screw cap.

The speed of rotation of the container supporting the table 5 isadjusted to approximately 1 rpm. and the frequency of oscillation of thetable 5 adjusted to approximately 320 cycles per minute by selectivelysetting the variable speed transmission unit 27 and entraining the belt46 around the intermediate diameter step of the three-step pulley '39.The amplitude of oscillation of the table 5 is set at about /2" (at thecircle of the openings 6 and seats 7) by adjusting the position of thecrank disc 57 with respect to the disc 56 on the shaft 32.

The position of the nozzle N is adjusted by its mountings shown inFIGURE 4 so as to dispose the nozzle orifice radially with respect tothe table about midway between the radially outermost and innermostparts of the seats 7 and the height of the nozzle is set as determinedby experience and approximately as shown in FIGURE 4. The containerguiding fingers 74 are adjusted by the mounting shown in'FIGURE 6 sothat the gap or slot 74' will just accommodate properly alignedcontainers and will move into alignment any containers approaching thegap when not in substantially vertical position.

As the table 5 rotates clockwise, as viewed in'FlG URE 1, an operatormanually removes containers from the loading stand 97 and places themopen ends down with their necks extending into the seats 7. As the table5 rotates and advances the loaded containers toward the nozzle N, thetable oscillates vertically in decreasing amplitude, raising andlowering the seats 7. As each seat 7 moves vertically in one directionand then stops and reverses, the support and container separatevertically, leaving the associated container moving freely or floatingin air, in a manner of speaking. Subsequently, the containers strike orare struck by the seats with generally vertical hammer like blows,loosening or dislodging particles adhering to the insides of thecontainers. Due to the constant tilting of the support, the containersare also impacted generally horizontally from different angles by thepositioning elements 82. As the containers, already subjected torepeated hammer like blows, move over and past the nozzle N, the jet ofpurging fiuid first passes upwardly along the leading side of thecontainer and then reverses to flow downwardly along the trailing sideof the container. As the container moves on over the jet, the flow isreversed, passing upwardly along the trailing side of the container andthen downwardly over the leading side of the container. The horizontaljarring of the containers continues during their passage over the jet.The containers are carried on around fromfthe jet to the opposite sideof the frame, in transit being repeatedly subjected to hammer likeblows, both horizontal and vertical. On arrival-at the other sideoftheframe, the containers may be removed by another operator and loaded ontoa filling machine or conveyor leading to such a machine.

Optimum cleaning results may be obtained by first subjecting thecontainers to relatively light generally vertical hammer like blows withaccompanying generally horizontal jarring, then purging them with fluidfrom the nozzle N while they are being tilted back and forth without being jarred vertically to any great extent but while being jarredhorizontally, and then subjecting them to more intense vertical hammerlike blows or jarring. The relative positioning of the loading stand 97,the jet nozzle N and the axis of the pintles 13 provides for thispreferred operation. During movement from the loading station, adjacentthe stand 97, to the purging station at the nozzle N, the containers areapproaching the horizontal axis of tilting of the table 5 andconsequently are subjected to relatively small and progressivelydecreasing amplitudes of vertical movement approaching zero, and thevertical hammer blows imparted to the containers become less and less asthe containers approach the axis of tilting of the table, while thedirection of horizontal jarring changes constantly. The nozzle islocated at or immediately adjacent to a position so related to the tabletilting axis that the movement of each bottle when over the nozzle N issubstantially only a tilting back and forth and horizontal jarringwithout substantial up and down movement. As each container is moved onbeyond the jet purging station, and away from the table tilting axis, itpartakes of increasing up and down movement, and is therefore subjectedto repeated vertical hammer blows of increasing intensity, reaching amaximum when each bottle has moved through an arc of approximatelydegrees (clockwise) from the purging station. From this point the tablecontinues to revolve clockwise with the up and down movement becomingless and less, due to shortening the radius from the horizontal axis andconsequently the length of the up and down stroke, until the containersreach the axis of the horizontal pintles 13 opposite the air jet nozzle.It is in approximately this position that the bottles are taken off andloaded onto the platform of the filling machine. Thus the bottles aresubjected to slight vertical hammer blows, and then are subjected to thejet of air, which is followed, as the table revolves, by graduallysubjecting them to increasingly violent up and down motion of the tabletop, the maximum being reached when they arrive at the point of thelongest up and down movement at a 90 degree angle from the horizontalaxis. The generally horizontal jarring continues throughout the travelof the containers from the loading position to the unloading position,the angle of generally horizontal impact varying progressively. Hence,the containers are tapped or impacted horizontally in differentdirections as well as vertically so that, regardless of where a particlemay adhere to the inside of a container, at least some of the tapping orimpacting will be in the direction most conducive to dislodgment.

The apparatus disclosed embodies the invention in a preferred form,capable of practicing the invention in an eflicient way, but thedisclosure is intended to be illustrative and not definitive, theinvention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest open end down and loosely ona support; and moving the support vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement Or the support in said one direction sufiicientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of thecontainer and the support and secondly a vertical relative re-engagingmovement of the container and support, the container and the supportstriking each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end of thecontainer.

2. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest open end down and loosely ona support; moving the support vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of the support in said one direction sufiicientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of thecontainer and the support and secondly a vertical relative re-engagingmovement of the container and support, the container and the supportstriking each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end of thecontainer; and injecting a stream of purging fluid upwardly into theopen end of the container.

3. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest open end down and loosely ona support; moving the support vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of the support in said one direction sufiicientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of thecontainer and the support and secondly a vertical relative re-engagingmovement of the container and support, the container and the supportstriking each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end of thecontainer;

injecting a jet of purging fluid upwardly into the open end of thecontainer; and effecting substantially horizontal movement of thecontainer relative to said jet to cause the jet fluid first to flowupwardly within the container adjacent one side thereof and to returndownwardly within the container adjacent the opposite side thereof, andthen to flow upwardly within the container adjacent said opposite sidethereof and to return downwardly within the container adjacent said oneside thereof.

4. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest open end down and loosely ona support; moving the support vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of the support in said one direction sufficientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of thecontainer and the support and secondly a vertical relative re-engagingmovement of the container and support, the container and the supportstriking each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end of thecontainer; purifying purging fluid by flowing it adjacent to anelectrical germicidal lamp; and injecting a stream of the purifiedpurging fluid upwardly into the open end of the container.

5. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest open end down and' looselyon a support; moving the support vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of the support in said one direction suflicientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of thecontainer and the support and secondly a vertical relative ire-engagingmovement of the container and support, the container and the supportstriking each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end of thecontainer; and striking the container horizontally.

6. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers; a substantially horizontal support having a seat forsupporting a container to rest open end down and loosely; means mountingsaid support to move and thereby move said seat vertically; and meansfor moving said support and said seat vertically in one direction andthen stopping the movement of said seat in said one directionsufliciently rapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation ofsaid seat and said container and secondly a vertical relativere-engaging movement of said seat and said container, whereby said seatand said container will strike each other to impart a hammer like blowto the open end of the container.

7. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers; a substantially horizontal support having a seat forsupporting a container to rest open end down and loosely; means mountingsaid support to move and thereby move said seat vertically; means formoving said support and said seat vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of said seat in said one direction suflioientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of said seatand said container and secondly a vertical relative re-engaging movementof said seat and said container, whereby said seat and said containerwill strike each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end ofthe container; and means for injecting a stream of purging fluidupwardly into the open end of the container.

8. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers; a substantially horizontal support having a seat forsupporting a container to rest open end down and loosely; means mountingsaid support to move and thereby move said seat vertically; means formoving said support and said seat vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of said seat in said one direction suflicientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of said seatand said container and secondly a vertical relative reengaging movementof said seat and said container, whereby said seat and said containerwill strike each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end ofthe container; means for injecting a stream of purging fluid upwardlyinto the open end of the container; and means for effectingsubstantially horizontal relative movement of said seat and saidinjecting means.

9. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers; a substantially horizontal support having a seat forsupporting a container to rest open end down and loosely; means mountingsaid support to move and thereby move said seat vertically; means formoving said support and said seat vertically in one direction and thenstopping the movement of said seat in said one direction sufiicientlyrapidly to effect firstly a vertical relative separation of said seatand said container and secondly a vertical relative re-engaging movementof said seat and said container, whereby said seat and said containerwill strike each other to impart a hammer like blow to the open end ofthe container; a purging fluid purifying device comprising an electricalgermicidal lamp,

and means for causing purging fluid to flow adjacent to said lamp; a jetnozzle mounted to discharge upwardly into the container on said seat;and means for conducting purging fluid from said fluid purifying deviceto said jet nozzle.

10. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially horizontal table having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced vertically extending openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for supporting containers to rest open ends down andloosely; means mounting said table to rotate about a generally verticalaxis and to oscillate said seats vertically; and means for rotating saidtable and for oscillating said seats vertically with the frequency ofoscillation such that said seats and the respectively associatedcontainers are relatively separated vertically and then re-engage eachother vertically, whereby said seats and said containers strike eachother to impart hammer like blows to the open ends of the containers.

11. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially horizontal table having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced vertically extending openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for supporting containers to rest open ends down andloosely; means mounting said table to rotate about a generally verticalaxis and to oscillate said seats vertically; means for rotating saidtable and for oscillating said seats vertically with the frequency ofoscillation such that said seats and the respectively associatedcontainers are relatively separated vertically and then reengage eachother vertically, whereby said seats and said containers strike eachother to impart hammer like blows to the open ends of the containers;and a nozzle mounted under said table for directing a jet of purgingfluid upwardly through said openings and into the containers as theopenings and containers pass successively over the nozzle in consequenceof rotation of said table.

12. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially vertical shaft; means mounting said shaft tooscillate about an axis transverse to the shaft axis; a substantiallyhorizontal table mounted on said shaft and having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced vertically extending openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for respectively supporting containers to rest openends down and loosely; means for rotating said table; and means foroscillating said shaft about said transverse axis whereby oscillatablyto tip said table and raise and lower said seats, said last-named meansoscillating said shaft at such rapidity as to cause said seats and therespectively associated containers to be relatively separated verticallyand then to re-engage each other and thus to impart hammer like blows tothe open ends of the containers.

13. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially vertical shaft; means mounting said shaft tooscillate about an axis transverse to the shaft axis; a substantiallyhorizontal 1 1 s t table mounted on said shaft and having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced vertically extending openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for respectively supporting containers to rest openends down and loosely; means for rotating said table; means foroscillating said shaft about said transverse axis whereby oscillatablyto tip said table and raise and lower said seats, said last-named meansoscillating said shaft at such rapidity as to cause said seats and therespectively associated containers to be relatively separated verticallyand then to re-engage each other and thus to impart hammer like blows tothe open ends of the containers; and a nozzle mounted under saidtablefor directing a jet of purging fluid upwardly through said openings andinto the containers as the openings and containers pass successivelyover the nozzle in consequence of table rotation.

14. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a frame; a bearing; means mounting said bearing on saidframe with the bearing axis generally vertical but for rocking of saidbearing and its axis about a horizontal axis; a generally vertical shaftsupported intermediate its ends in said bearing; a substantiallyhorizontal table mounted on said shaft above said bearing and having aplurality of circumferentially spaced seats for respectively supportingcontainers to rest open ends down and loosely; a crank; a pitmanconnecting said crank to said shafit below said bearing; means forrotating said crank and, through said pitman, oscillating said shaftabout said horizontal axis whereby oscillatably to tip said table andraise and lower said seats and thereby to eifect relative verticalseparation of said seats and said containers and relative verticalre-engagement of said seats with said containers with consequentimparting of hammer like blows on said containers; and means forrotating said table about said bearing axis.

15. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a frame; a bearing; means mounting said bearing on saidframe with the bearing axis generally vertical but for rocking of saidbearing and its axis about a horizontal axis; a generally vertical shaftsupported intermediate its ends in said bearing; a substantiallyhorizontal table mounted on said shaft above said bearing and having aplurality of circumferentially spaced seats for respectively supportingcontainers to rest open ends down and loosely; means for oscillatingsaid shaft about said horizontal axis whereby oscillatably to tip saidtable and raise and lower said seats and thereby to effect relativevertical separation of said seats and said containers and relativevertical re-engagement of said seats with said containers withconsequent imparting of hammer like blows on said containers; a drivenpulley connected to said table and spaced from said bearing; a drivingpulley rotatable about a horizontal axis spaced from said driven pulley;a belt trained aroundsaid driven and driving pulleys; a pair of belttensioning pulleys respectively engaging the two stretches of the beltextending between said driven and driving pulleys; a device supportingsaid belt tensioning pulleys for rotation; means mounting said devicefor oscillation in phase with the oscillation of said shaft; and meansbiassing said device in a direction to hold said belt tensicning pulleysin belt tensioning contact with the respectively associated beltstretches.

16. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a frame; a bearing; means mounting said bearing on saidframe with the bearing axis generally vertical but for rocking of saidbearing and its axis about a horizontal axis; a generally vertical shaftsupported intermediate its ends in said bearing; a substantiallyhorizontal table mounted on said shaft above said bearing and having aplurality of circumferentially spaced seats for respectively supportingcontainers to rest open ends down and loosely; means for oscillatingsaid shaft about said horizontal axis whereby oscillatably to tip saidtable and raise and lower said seats and thereby to efiect relativevertical separation of said seats and said containers and relativevertical re-engagement of said seats with said containers withconsequent imparting of hammer like blows on said containers; a drivenpulley connected to said table and spaced from said bearing; a drivingpulley rotatable about a horizontal axis spaced from said driven pulley;a belt trained around said driven and driving pulleys; a pair of belttensioning pulleys respectively engaging the two stretches of the beltextend ing between said driven and driving pulleys; means including acrosshead supporting said belt tensioning pulley for rotation; a trackfixed with respect to said frame and extending generally in thedirection of oscillation of said shaft; means including anti-frictionbearings mounting said crosshead for oscillation along said track; and aspring urging said crosshead to move on said track in a direction tohold said belt tensioning pulleys in belt tensioning contact with therespectively associated belt stretches.

17. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a generally horizontal support having a series of verticalopenings surrounded by seats for respectively carrying containers torest open ends down and loosely; a container holding device associatedwith each opening and seat, each of said devices comprising four studsextending upwardly from said support at the four corners of a rectanglewithin which the associated opening and seat are substantially centered,and two flexible tubes the opposite ends of each of which are mounted ontwo diagonally opposite ones of the four studs included between twoadjacent seats, the intermediate portions of said tubes being bowed andcrossing each other to provide horizontally yieldable container hold-ingmeans; means for oscillating said support to raise and lower said seats;a jet nozzle below said support; and means for efiecting relativehorizontal movement of said support and said nozzle whereby to bringsaid openings successively into registration with said nozzle forejection through said openings into said containers.

18. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially horizontal rotatable table having aplurality of circumferentially spaced vertical openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for receiving containers loosely and open ends down;a nozzle mounted under said table for directing a jet of purging fluidupwardly through said openings and seats and into the respectivelyassociated containers successively as said table rotates; and stationarycontainer guiding and aligning means mounted above said table and withrespect to which said table moves while rotating, said aligning meanscomprising two parts spaced horizontally from each other radially of theaxis of rotation of said table and providing a gap through which thecontainers pass as they approach a position above said nozzle, both theentrance to and the exit from said gap being substantially verticallyaligned with said openings, and said aligning means being engageablewith said containers while passing through said gap for correcting anyradial misalignment of the containers with the associated seats andopenings before the containers arrive at said position.

19. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially horizontal rotatable table having aplurality of circttrnferentially spaced vertical openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for receiving containers loosely and open ends down;a nozzle mounted under said table for directing a jet of purging fluidupwardly through said openings and seats and into the respectivelyassociated containers successively as said table rotates; a pair ofresilient container guiding and aligning fingers having outwardly flaredends; and means adjustably mounting said fingers above said table toextend generally tangentially to said plurality of openings with thefinger flared ends spaced from each other radially of the axis ofrotation of said table to define a container receiving and guiding slotlocated in advance of said nozzle with respect to the direction ofrotation of said 13 table, both the entrance to and the exit from saidslot being substantially vertically aligned with said openings.

20. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest open end down and loosely ona support; moving the support upwardly and downwardly with relativelysmall movements of decreasing amplitude approaching zero up and downmovement but sufliciently rapidly to effect relative vertical separationof said container and said support and relative vertical re-engagementof said container and said support, whereby the container open end andthe support strike each other with relatively light hammer like blows;injecting a stream of purging fluid upwardly into the open end of thecontainer when the up and down movement thereof is zero or a minimum;tilting the container about a substantially horizontal axis whileinjecting said stream of purging fluid; and thereafter moving saidsupport upwardly and downwardly with relatively large and increasingamplitude of movements but sulficiently rapidly to efiect relativevertical separation of said container and said support and relativevertical re-engagement of said container and said support, whereby thecontainer open end and the support strike each other with increasinglyrelatively heavy hammer like blows.

21. In apparatus for removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, a substantially vertical shaft; means mounting said shaft tooscillate about an axis transverse to the shaft axis; a substantiallyhorizontal table mounted on said shaft and having a plurality ofcircumnferentially spaced vertically extending openings respectivelysurrounded by seats for respectively supporting containers to rest openends down and loosely; means for rotating said table; means foroscillating said shaft about said transverse axis whereby oscillatablyto tip said table and raise and lower said seats, said last-named meansoscillating said shaft at such rapidity as to eifect relative verticalseparation of said containers and said seats and relative verticalre-engagement of said containers and said seats with consequentimparting of hammer like blows on said containers; and a nozzle mountedunder said table adjacent said transverse axis for directing a jet ofpurging fluid upwardly through said openings and into the containers asthe openings and containers pass successively over the nozzle and acrosssaid transverse axis in consequence of table rotation.

22. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest loosely and open end down ona support; oscillating the support to cause it to strike the containerrepeatedly in diflerent directions; and injecting a stream of purgingfluid upwardly into the open end of the container.

23. In a method of removing lint and other particles from open endcontainers, positioning a container to rest loosely and open end down ona support; oscillating the support to cause it to strike the containerrepeatedly vertically and horizontally in different directions; andinjecting a stream of purging fluid upwardly into the open end of thecontainer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS322,644 Robinson July 21, 1885 646,604 Nordberg Apr. 3, 1900 831,261Bowman Sept. 18, 1906 1,640,643 Brusson Aug. 30, 1927 2,119,596 Mintertet al June 7, 1938 2,191,513 Bigelow Feb. 27, 1940 2,194,607 McDevittMar. 26-, 1940 2,196,027 Risser Apr. 2, 1940 2,333,713 Eiben Nov. 9,1943 2,347,057 Lakso Apr. 18, 1944 2,523,373 Jennings et al Sept. 26,1950 2,533,690 Raider Dec. 12, 1950 2,915,773 Whelan Dec. 8, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 216,508 Germany Nov. 19, 1909'

